RICHARD RADDATZ

Condolences & Memories (6 entries)

• I extend my deepest sympathies to the Raddatz family. Anyone who came across Rick's path quickly discovered that family was what he cared about most, and especially those wonderful grandkids! I came to know Rick through the weather office; he, and others, were kind enough to let me take my University of Winnipeg meteorology class on tours of the office. Many years later I was delighted to hire Rick as a sessional instructor in our Geography Department. He was a very good teacher, but he was a great scientist. So smart; so meticulous; so passionate about all things meteorological. The family of weather nerds to which Rick belonged is very, very sad. And, of course, the Rider family is now a little bit smaller, too. In all of his various families...Rick will be missed! - Posted by: Danny Blair (Colleague and fellow Rider fan) on: Apr 16, 2016

• Rick was a friend and colleague. We were a part of the Environment Canada family together for many years in Winnipeg. He left us much too early. The world will miss him. I wrote the following about Rick when he retired from Environment a little over 10 years ago: I met Rick Raddatz when I transferred from the airbase in Winnipeg to the airport in August 1968. Rick was a relatively new young meteorologist with big ideas. He proved to be a true scientist-engineer type of meteorologist in the subsequent years that I knew him. I believe that he was one of the first in operational meteorology in Canada to apply direct model output (the Prairie Window grid) to the forecast desk. His program provided a first guess of various forecast parameters for a number of forecasts. In particular, I can remember using them to help with the forestry and agricultural forecasts during the summer. Later when he was in SSD, he developed a regression model using meteorological variables to predict the abundance of mosquitoes (Culex Tersalis) that are responsible for spreading Western Encephalitis. The model may be applicable to West Nile given that another one of the Culex mosquito family appears to be the chief culprit in its spread to humans. - Posted by: Louis Legal (Friend and Colleague) on: Apr 14, 2016

• Rick was a close friend through High School and in early University. We played sports together and along with Wayne bought sports cars when we were 17. While the years passed after we graduated and moved on to other lives, I still considered Rick one of my close friends. In the last few years we only exchanged Christmas letters but Wayne and I often tried to encourage him to come visit us on the West Coast so we could be the Wild Trio again. (this is a bit of an exaggeration since the wild things the three of us did when we were teenagers would be very mild these days) I will miss not seeing Rick again. Bruce - Posted by: Bruce Ellis (High School Friend) on: Apr 14, 2016

• I met Mr. Raddatz through my good friend Stacey. Always made you feel welcome, and had a great appreciation for sports. Stacey and April, I am so sorry for your loss. - Posted by: Jeff Case (Friend) on: Apr 13, 2016

• I am so sorry for your loss!! Rick was an inspiration to many. He was so intelligent which showed in very many ways; in conversations and in his research. He wrote several papers which were published, taught at the University after retirement and OH MY GOSH, always had the neatest yard. He adored his grand daughters and was extremely proud of their accomplishments. He sat for many hours watching them dance!! Rest in Peace, Rick. You will be missed!! - Posted by: Ricki Daly (Family Friend) on: Apr 13, 2016

• I first met Rick over 30 years ago. He was a great mentor, teacher and friend, not to mention a pretty good left fielder. Rick may have left this world but his memory will live on. My condolences to his family and especially Lauren and Caitlin, who have lost a wonderful and proud grandfather. - Posted by: James, Glenna and Amy Cummine (Friend and co-worker) on: Apr 13, 2016